Loads of inspiration

First, a bit about my background. I hold a degree in software engineering from Ghent University. After my studies, I joined NorthgateArinso as a technical SAP consultant, focused on interfaces. After two years, I switched to an internal position as a SAP Interfaces Architect at Multipharma. The integration of multiple systems – legacy and new applications – has always been an interesting puzzle to me.

But gradually I became more and more interested in not only linking the systems technically, but figuring out how the business processes that drove them functioned and how they could be optimised. The best interface is sometimes the one that does not need to exist. And in order to create truly simple digital processes, you need to start with the business processes.

So, I changed to a role as a Business Process Improvement Analyst and worked on a range of projects like a mobile app, a webshop, an online reservation tool, and so on. I switched to ALDI in 2016 to work on one of the very first digital programs, and I participated in a wide range of projects like a pick-by-voice system, GDPR implementation, a forecasting system for the stores, and a Salesforce implementation. After a few years, I became a team leader, and then last year I took on a Director’s role.

The Digital Leadership Programme

I chose the Digital Leadership programme because I wanted to be able to align stakeholders more easily with digital strategy. I wanted to find out how each and every stakeholder acts and why they act this way, and then to see how we can combine the strengths of all these different leader types to create the best result.

I also wanted to meet people from different sectors and see how they deploy technology and their people to stay ahead of the game. Basically, I wanted to find ways to best accompany my organisation during its digital transformation and to identify my most suitable role in this transformation. In addition to that, the programme seemed like a good way to gain new insights, nurture ideas, and discover what trends are currently making waves on both the technological and the business levels.

Loads of inspiration

It was fascinating to talk to people active in very diverse sectors and yet all facing the same kinds of issues: How can we tackle the huge challenge that is called ‘digital transformation’? The programme also inspired me on a technological level – seeing examples set by the industry pioneers, the technological possibilities, and hearing the guest lecturers who have lived such a transformation first-hand and were eager to share their experiences with the group.

The lecturers, Stijn Viaene and Karlien Vanderheyden, find a good balance between technology and people, and their synergy is inspiring. At the end of the week, you are tired but contented with all the new ideas that popped into your head during the various exercises and sessions, the meals, and other activities.

More confidence…

The programme has also given me more confidence in what I was already trying to do, although in a less structured way. I’ve always wanted to raise awareness in the organisation towards new opportunities as well as threats. And this experience gives me a framework for identifying stakeholders and the roles they can play as digital leaders within the company.

I’ve been inspired to form groups of leaders that take on one or more of the 4V roles. Colleagues who are willing to play a role in creating a sustainable digital transformation together – because that’s really the only way to do it properly.

We’re working with a number of vigilant leaders within the department who focus on digital threats and opportunities in our own sector and beyond. We’re also working in small entrepreneurial teams on side projects (next to the operational and classical projects). The programme has definitely made me understand better how we can continue our road to organisational agility – and my ambitions on that level have risen.

All these things make me more confident in our chances for success!

I recommend it

I would definitely recommend Leading Digital Transformation to others – especially if they are seeking more tools for finding the strengths within their organisation and for setting up the key roles during digital transformation. The programme also provides a very good foundation for knowing more about digital transformation overall: what it is, how to go about it, and how to draw more attention to it within your company.

Wouter Van Isterdael Business Unit Director IT – Aldi Belgium

Participant Leading Digital Transformation